Doing the Logrono Tapas Crawl by Oneself

[Sheesh]

Due to time constraints, I may be starting from Logrono this fall and likely will be in private accommodation that first night.

Previously when I was there, I had already formed a small camino family including some who were fluent in Spanish and we did the tapas crawl together. Although great fun, I recall it was a little overwhelming and I was glad to be part of a group.

But if I begin in Logrono I won't have made acquaintances yet. Funny, I can walk across Spain by myself, but for some reason I'm feeling a little anxious about attempting the tapas crawl alone. Though I guess I don't actually have to "crawl" - I could just stay in one place. My Spanish is rudimentary. (Lo hablo un poco, pero no mucho.)

Any suggestions for doing the Logrono tapas scene by oneself?

 

[SabsP]

Due to time constraints, I may be starting from Logrono this fall and likely will be in private accommodation that first night.

Previously when I was there, I had already formed a small camino family including some who were fluent in Spanish and we did the tapas crawl together. Although great fun, I recall it was a little overwhelming and I was glad to be part of a group.

But if I begin in Logrono I won't have made acquaintances yet. Funny, I can walk across Spain by myself, but for some reason I'm feeling a little anxious about attempting the tapas crawl alone. Though I guess I don't actually have to "crawl" - I could just stay in one place. My Spanish is rudimentary. (Lo hablo un poco, pero no mucho.)

Any suggestions for doing the Logrono tapas scene by oneself?

Just go for it.
I also walk alone and prefer to go into a tapasplace by myself. That is the good thing about these informal places. Informal seating at the bar or at one of those wooden winebarrels. Do not overthink it.
Try to get there before the crowds get in.
And you can always start a conversation with another single person or a small group of people.In that case it does help to have some basic knowledge of Spanish.

 

[Former member 99816]

Great question! I'm planning an extended stay in Logrono myself (June) and am looking forward to a crawl(s) with other peregrinos. Looking for ideas for accommodations.

 

[RJM]

Great question! I'm planning an extended stay in Logrono myself (June) and am looking forward to a crawl(s) with other peregrinos. Looking for ideas for accommodations.

Do you have a guidebook for the Camino Frances yet? If you don't I suggest that you purchase one for research purposes at the very least. You can buy one here on this forum. Personally I like the Brierley guidebook.
Logrono has or had (pre-pandemic) large capacity albergues. Also there are several private accommodations near the streets with a lot of tapas bars. I've made the tapas crawl three times with other pilgrims while staying in Logrono. I remember the bars being just south of the cathedral. Tripadvisor website can be handy, too.

 

[SabsP]

Inicio - Calle Laurel de Logroño

www.callelaurel.org

Logroño - Nájera | Camino Francés | Gronze.com

Hoy cruzamos un territorio vitivinícola de anchos valles y suaves montañas; la autovía A-12 vuelve a ser una incómoda compañía en varios tramos. La etapa presenta dos ascensos progresivos y moderados: El Alto de la Grajera y el Alto de San Antón. En verano, el calor suele ser intenso.

www.gronze.com

 

[Esperanza]

Due to time constraints, I may be starting from Logrono this fall and likely will be in private accommodation that first night.

Previously when I was there, I had already formed a small camino family including some who were fluent in Spanish and we did the tapas crawl together. Although great fun, I recall it was a little overwhelming and I was glad to be part of a group.

But if I begin in Logrono I won't have made acquaintances yet. Funny, I can walk across Spain by myself, but for some reason I'm feeling a little anxious about attempting the tapas crawl alone. Though I guess I don't actually have to "crawl" - I could just stay in one place. My Spanish is rudimentary. (Lo hablo un poco, pero no mucho.)

Any suggestions for doing the Logrono tapas scene by oneself?

Just go for it. Don’t worry about getting served. Even without speaking any Spanish, you’ll be able to get something to eat and drink. They are very good at that in the tapas bars. What’s the worst that could happen? You stand around by yourself, maybe feel a little awkward, do some people watching, and go home early. Or something better might happen. Do it and find out. . Buen camino!

 

[jsalt]

Any suggestions for doing the Logrono tapas scene by oneself?

Yes, big cities can be lonely by yourself.

You could maybe post the date you will be there, and perhaps there are others here on the forum that will be there on the same date, so you could meet up with them.

I’ll be there on 5 May .

 

[C clearly]

Funny, I can walk across Spain by myself, but for some reason I'm feeling a little anxious about attempting the tapas crawl alone. Though I guess I don't actually have to "crawl" - I could just stay in one place.

I share these feelings. But remember - it is not an inadequacy in you, it is simply a different circumstance.

Some experiences are better with companions and almost by definition, a tapas crawl is one of those. But I agree with Sabine...

Do not overthink it.

So, just do what seems appropriate - you need something to eat, and you might meet some people in the process. Or you might not - but enjoy your experience even if it is not the same experience as you might idealize.

As others have suggested, this could be a good occasion to reach out to another pilgrim in Logrono who might be in a similar situation.

 

[Anhalter]

Two thoughts:
- Go to Calle Laurel, watch for english speaking groups looking like pilgrims, start talking to them...
- There should be organized food tours with english speaking guides. I'm sure google will help

or you could just head there, talk broken spanish and point at things and everything would work too. Minus the company of other people....

edit: and definately go to Bar Soriano!

 

[pasiño a pasiño]

just do it! You also could visit a Albergue and ask some pilgrims to go out together.....or just look for people with tanned lines/ flip flops or sandals and join them...

 

[legless]

Inicio - Calle Laurel de Logroño

www.callelaurel.org

Logroño - Nájera | Camino Francés | Gronze.com

Hoy cruzamos un territorio vitivinícola de anchos valles y suaves montañas; la autovía A-12 vuelve a ser una incómoda compañía en varios tramos. La etapa presenta dos ascensos progresivos y moderados: El Alto de la Grajera y el Alto de San Antón. En verano, el calor suele ser intenso.

www.gronze.com

Hey family, well yes I was going to walk 500 miles, but instead I saw this website and decided to spend 7 weeks in Logrono.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

just do it! You also could visit a Albergue and ask some pilgrims to go out together.....or just look for people with tanned lines/ flip flops or sandals and join them...

Look for blonds/blondes and redheads?

 

[trecile]

Hey family, well yes I was going to walk 500 miles, but instead I saw this website and decided to spend 7 weeks in Logrono.

Maybe not a bad idea!

 

[pepi]

Great question! I'm planning an extended stay in Logrono myself (June) and am looking forward to a crawl(s) with other peregrinos. Looking for ideas for accommodations.

The first time not easy to find, best to go to the Eroski store at Gonzalo De Berceo square and call, you will be picked up. Clean rooms and very fair prices. On crawling distance to la Laurel and located along to Camino, just follow the arrows.

Pension Laurel
Gonzalo De Berceo 4 1ºB
E-26005 Logroño
info@pensionlaurel.com
‭+34 941 124 506‬

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Hey family, well yes I was going to walk 500 miles, but instead I saw this website and decided to spend 7 weeks in Logrono.

I stopped my last camino in Pamplona due to weather but I wanted to walk a sea-to-sea Barcelona to San Sebastián. I could have stopped in Irun but my target was San Sebastián to make Peg jealous.

 

[Former member 99816]

The first time not easy to find, best to go to the Eroski store at Gonzalo De Berceo square and call, you will be picked up. Clean rooms and very fair prices. On crawling distance to la Laurel and located along to Camino, just follow the arrows.

Pension Laurel
Gonzalo De Berceo 4 1ºB
E-26005 Logroño
info@pensionlaurel.com
‭+34 941 124 506‬

Pension Laurel
Gonzalo De Berceo 4... You
are within crawl distance of Calle de Laurel?

 

[RJM]

Pension Laurel
Gonzalo De Berceo 4... You
are within crawl distance of Calle de Laurel?

There's a good tourism office in Logrono. When you arrive there check it out. They have a city map they can give you and answer any questions you have and even stamp your credentials.

 

[pepi]

are within crawl distance of Calle de Laurel?

600 m close enough to crawl?

 

[Thedanishvikingpilgrim]

Due to time constraints, I may be starting from Logrono this fall and likely will be in private accommodation that first night.

Previously when I was there, I had already formed a small camino family including some who were fluent in Spanish and we did the tapas crawl together. Although great fun, I recall it was a little overwhelming and I was glad to be part of a group.

But if I begin in Logrono I won't have made acquaintances yet. Funny, I can walk across Spain by myself, but for some reason I'm feeling a little anxious about attempting the tapas crawl alone. Though I guess I don't actually have to "crawl" - I could just stay in one place. My Spanish is rudimentary. (Lo hablo un poco, pero no mucho.)

Any suggestions for doing the Logrono tapas scene by oneself?

Absolutely get a private room. The pinchos fun starts after 10pm. And albergues close at that time.

The food and wine is amazing.

And even without Spanish. Just point and say por favor

 

[GraemeHall]

In three visits to Logrono, and many long and enjoyable hours in and around Calle Laurel both in company and alone, I have never once heard of or thought of it as "the tapas crawl".

 

[Wanderingfriend]

Due to time constraints, I may be starting from Logrono this fall and likely will be in private accommodation that first night.

Previously when I was there, I had already formed a small camino family including some who were fluent in Spanish and we did the tapas crawl together. Although great fun, I recall it was a little overwhelming and I was glad to be part of a group.

But if I begin in Logrono I won't have made acquaintances yet. Funny, I can walk across Spain by myself, but for some reason I'm feeling a little anxious about attempting the tapas crawl alone. Though I guess I don't actually have to "crawl" - I could just stay in one place. My Spanish is rudimentary. (Lo hablo un poco, pero no mucho.)

Any suggestions for doing the Logrono tapas scene by oneself?

Look for pilgrims, they will be everywhere…ask them if you can join them for the tapa thing.

 

[annangulo]

Due to time constraints, I may be starting from Logrono this fall and likely will be in private accommodation that first night.

Previously when I was there, I had already formed a small camino family including some who were fluent in Spanish and we did the tapas crawl together. Although great fun, I recall it was a little overwhelming and I was glad to be part of a group.

But if I begin in Logrono I won't have made acquaintances yet. Funny, I can walk across Spain by myself, but for some reason I'm feeling a little anxious about attempting the tapas crawl alone. Though I guess I don't actually have to "crawl" - I could just stay in one place. My Spanish is rudimentary. (Lo hablo un poco, pero no mucho.)

Any suggestions for doing the Logrono tapas scene by oneself?

I did it alone this past August. I prefer alone. Although I am fluent in Spanish so I can get my socializing in if I want to.

 

[SabsP]

In three visits to Logrono, and many long and enjoyable hours in and around Calle Laurel both in company and alone, I have never once heard of or thought of it as "the tapas crawl".

Indeed! Tapas crawl does give it a rather tacky feeling. I see it more as a culinary exploration.
Crawl has this akward connotation with bachelorparties...

 

[gvmelissa]

Absolutely get a private room. The pinchos fun starts after 10pm. And albergues close at that time.

The food and wine is amazing.

And even without Spanish. Just point and say por favor

Do you have any idea what time the bars open? Some of us are early risers and can't do the 10:00 fun. Just can't go to bed with a full belly. Thanks!

 

[RJM]

Do you have any idea what time the bars open? Some of us are early risers and can't do the 10:00 fun. Just can't go to bed with a full belly. Thanks!

Past 10:00 pm. lol

 

[chinacat]

Tapas crawl does give it a rather tacky feeling

Might it depend upon what it takes to wash it down?

 

[SabsP]

Past 10:00 pm. lol

Wrong. You can go in around 7.30 pm and you will not be the first.

 

[RJM]

Crawl, walk, stroll.....poe-ta-toe, pah-tah-toe ....toe-may-toe, tah-mah-toe
whatever, I ain't no snob...just go enjoy it if you have time and are staying in accommodations that do not have a curfew.
The times I sampled the many places there was more that ten of us in the group from many countries and we drank a lot of wine and a lot of beer and the variety of tapas seemed endless....at times difficult to choose and I liked them all.
We all went back to where we were staying after 2:00 am and I recall a difficult time getting up the next morning and it was a short walking day.

 

[SabsP]

Might it depend upon what it takes to wash it down?

And that brings us to the idea that many people think that you need alcohol to enjoy a good evening.
You do not need that at all.
Some first timers on a Camino might get the impression that alcohol is a must on a Camino and I always assure them that this is not the case.

 

[RJM]

And that brings us to the idea that many people think that you need alcohol to enjoy a good evening.
You do not need that ay all.
Some first timers on a Camino might get the impression that alcohol is a must on a Camino and I always assure them that this is not the case.

If they're teenagers, maybe. lol

 

[annangulo]

Do you have any idea what time the bars open? Some of us are early risers and can't do the 10:00 fun. Just can't go to bed with a full belly. Thanks!

They're definitely open earlier than 10 pm. I usually ate lunch and dinner there.

 

[jsalt]

Just can't go to bed with a full belly.

The Spanish eat lunch as their main meal of the day. So in the evenings they have tapas or pinxos (snacks).

No need to go to bed on a full stomach.

At home supper is my main meal of the day, but on the camino I adapt to the Spanish way and make lunch my main meal of the day.

Then I enjoy the tapas in the evening!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

At home supper is my main meal of the day, but on the camino I adapt to the Spanish way and make lunch my main meal of the day.

Occasionally on the Camino I've made lunch and dinner both my main meals in a day.

Then I enjoy the tapas in the evening!

I love Logrono and it has some of the most beautiful tapas I've seen! I've posted this picture before, but I think the tapas made into sailing ships are so adorable!

 

[Excursionista]

Just wanted to agree that you can certainly tapear with the after work crowd rather than the night on the town crowd if you're hoping for an early night.

 

[Former member 99816]

Night crowd starts at !0:00; If siesta time is 2:00 - 6:00 (?), when does the after-work crowd hit?

 

[jflorez]

I love Calle Laurel and have enjoyed the gastronomy there with Camino family in 2018, and then last September mostly by myself; both experiences were fun and basically what you make of it. I think you can have a great time solo.

Some clarification regarding the food, though: if it comes pinned to a piece of bread with a toothpick/skewer it is a Pintxo or Pincho from the Spanish pinchar, "to pinch", and it is a single (or double) bite portion for an individual, and are found/served primarily in No. Spain, whereas Tapas are (generally speaking) portions that are large enough to be shared at a table, like bravas, or olivos for example. You can certainly find Tapas in Pintxo Bars in Logroño, but you're probably eating in a Pintxo bar, like Bar Soriano, and not a Tapas bar. Of course there are exceptions to everything, so YMMV.

One last thing, each bar has a specialty pincho, like Bar Soriano with their mushrooms, or La Tasca del Pato who specialize in txangurritos (spider crab fishcakes, baked inside a scallop shell). Be sure to ask or look for a sign indicating what that bar's specialty is so you can get the most out of your experience.

 

[Simon Shum]

Yes, Logrono has the most beautiful tapas, and better yet, they even heat up some of them to make it taste so much better!! Three of us al stayed in the albergue by the cathedral and we started at 6:30 pm and we were back at the albergue before 10 pm!! Beautiful!!